Chardonnay

Question 1

High-acidity, light to medium body and flavors of green fruits (apples, pears), citrus fruits (lemon) and wet stone describes Chardonnay from a ________ climate.

Answer 1

Cool-Climate

Question 2

Medium to high acidity, medium to full body and flavors of lemon, stone fruit (peach), and sometimes tropical fruit (melon) describes Chardonnay from a ________ climate.

Answer 2

Moderate

Question 3

Full-bodied, medium in acidity, and dominated by flavors of stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (pineapple, banana) describes Chardonnay from a ________ climate.

Answer 3

Warm

Question 4

What is acidification?

Answer 4

Adding extra acid during winemaking.

Question 5

What types of grapes would need to go through acidification and why?

Answer 5

Commonly used for many warm-weather Chardonnays to balance the alcohol to the body of wine.

Question 6

What can putting a Malolactic conversion do to a Chardonnay?

Answer 6

Add dairy flavors (butter, cream) and soften harsh acids.

Question 7

What are the 4 main important Chardonnay regions in Burgundy, France?

Answer 7

1. Bourgogne AOC
2. Chablis AOC
3. Côte d’Or
4. Mâconnais

Question 8

Wines labeled under this regional appellation can be made from grapes grown anywhere in Burgundy.

Answer 8

Bourgogne AOC

Question 9

Chardonnay labeled with this Burgundy village appellation are usually simple with apple and lemon characteristics and high acidity due to its cool climate.

Answer 9

Chablis AOC

Question 10

Chardonnay production from Côte d’Or is focused on the area to the south in the sub-region ________ .

Answer 10

Côte de Beaune

Question 11

What are the 2 best-known villages in Côte de Beaune for high quality Chardonnay production?

Answer 11

1. Meursault AOC
2. Puligny-Montrachet AOC

Question 12

This sub-region in the Burgundy region of Mâconnais is a source of fruity and mostly unoaked Chardonnay.

Answer 12

Mâcon AOC

Question 13

Southern Chardonnay producing region in the south of Burgundy.

Answer 13

Mâconnais

Question 14

This sub-region in the Burgundy region of Mâconnais is located on steep, east and south-east facing slopes that produce high quality Chardonnay.

Answer 14

Pouilly-Fuissé AOC

Question 15

Two most well know Chardonnay producing regions in the Burgundy region of Mâconnais.

Answer 15

1. Mâcon AOC
2. Pouilly-Fuissé AOC

Question 16

What is the name of the region along the Mediterranean coast in Southern France, stretching from the Spanish boarder in the west to the River Rhône in the east?

Answer 16

Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Question 17

Most Chardonnays from the Languedoc-Roussillon region are labeled with _______ IGP.

Answer 17

Pays d’Or

Question 18

California’s inland _________ is cut off from any sea influence by mountains and has warm and dry climate. Chardonnay grapes grown here are used for high-volume brands.

Answer 18

Central Valley

Question 19

Name the ___ most famous California Coastal influenced regions that produce high quality Chardonnays.

Answer 19

1. Los Carneros
2. Sonoma
3. Napa Valley
4. Santa Barbara County

Question 20

What is the state with smaller Chardonnay production in USA compared to California, but produces refreshingly high acidity Chardonnays.

Answer 20

Oregon

Question 21

What are the 4 main Chardonnay producing regions in Australia?

Answer 21

1. South Eastern Australia (broad term to cover 5-6 states)
2. Adelaide Hills
3. Yarra Valley
4. Margaret River (Western Australia)

Question 22

Where is the Adelaide Hills region? How is it cooled?

Answer 22

South Australia
Altitude

Question 23

What is the name of the famous Chardonnay producing region in Southern Australia that is cooled by altitude?

Answer 23

Adelaide Hills

Question 24

Where is the Yarra Valley region and how is it cooled?

Answer 24

In Victoria (South Eastern Australia)
Cooled by Ocean currents from the south.

Question 25

Where is the Margaret River region? What is its climate?

Answer 25

Western Australia
Warm, but with cooling sea breezes to moderate temperatures and slow ripening.

Question 26

What are New Zealands 2 most famous Chardonnay producing regions?

Answer 26

1. Marlborough
2. Hawke’s Bay

Question 27

What are Chile’s 2 most famous Chardonnay producing regions?

Answer 27

1. Casablanca Valley (Pacific Coastal region exposures to sea breezes and morning fogs)
2. Central Valley (larger, warmer, high-volume wines)

Question 28

What are South Africa’s 2 most famous Chardonnay producing regions?

Answer 28

1. Western Cape (high-volume)
2. Walker Bay (Coastal, coolest region in South Africa due to exposure to sea breezes)

Question 29

Where is the Chardonnay producing region of Los Carneros?
What cools this area?

Answer 29

Northern California
Cooled by morning fogs that come in from the San Pablo Bay.

Question 30

What happens to the climate Napa Valley as you go North?

Answer 30

Becomes increasingly warmer.

Question 31

Where is the Chardonnay producing region of Santa Barbara County?
What is its climate and its factors?

Answer 31

California’s Central Coast
Vineyards receive cooling sea breezes that are funneled inland by lateral valleys.

Question 32

What is the main white grape variety in Burgundy?

Answer 32

Chardonnay

Question 33

List Burgundy labeling hierarchy from highest-quality to lowest.

Answer 33

1. Grand Cru Vineyards
2. Premier Cru Vineyards
3. Village Appellations
4. Regional Appallations